יוֹצָדָק (yo.tsa.daq)
yo.tsa.daq
Jozadak
N:N-M-PQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 5 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- N:N-M-P
Word Overview
The name Yozadak, a shortened form of Jehozadak, means "Yahweh is righteous." It identifies a significant figure in the lineage of Israel’s priesthood during the transition from exile to return. He was the son of the high priest Seraiah and the grandson of Hilkiah, placing him directly in the line that traced back to Aaron. Although he was destined for the high priesthood, he never held the office because he was carried into Babylonian captivity by Nebuchadnezzar.
Despite his absence from Jerusalem during the initial rebuilding efforts, Yozadak remains a crucial link in the restoration of worship. His son, Joshua (also called Jeshua), succeeded him and led the priests in re-establishing the altar and temple foundations upon their return (Ezra 3:2; 5:2). The name appears five times in Scripture, primarily in Ezra and Chronicles, serving as a reminder that God’s righteousness sustains His people even through displacement and loss.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
The name Yozadak means 'Yahweh is righteous,' a truth that anchors us even when life feels displaced or uncertain. He was destined for high priesthood but found himself in Babylonian exile, never seeing the temple he was meant to serve. Yet his legacy did not end there. Through his son Jeshua, the priestly line continued, leading the returnees to rebuild the altar and lay the foundations of the temple (Ezra 3:2). This shows us that God’s purposes are not broken by our circumstances.
When we face seasons where our plans seem delayed or our roles unclear, Yozadak’s story reminds us that faithfulness is often passed down through generations. We may not see the full fruit of our labor in our own lifetime, but our obedience contributes to a larger work of restoration. God uses ordinary people, even those in exile, to sustain His people and keep hope alive.
This name invites us to trust that God’s righteousness sustains us through loss and transition. Whether we are rebuilding after failure or waiting for a promise to unfold, we can rest in the knowledge that our service matters. The work of restoration continues through those who remain faithful, linking past devotion with future hope.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 5 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- Jozadak5×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- יֽוֹצָדָ֜ק2×
- יוֹצָדָ֑ק1×
- יֽוֹצָדָק֙1×
- יֽוֹצָדָ֔ק1×
Key Verses
-
Ezra 3:2
Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak stood up with his brothers the priests and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his relatives, and built the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings on it, as it is written in the law of Moses the man of God.
This verse highlights how Jeshua, son of Jozadak, led the priests in rebuilding the altar, showing that Yozadak’s lineage carried forward the worship mission despite his absence.
-
Ezra 5:2
Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at Jerusalem; and with them were the prophets of God, helping them.
Here Zerubbabel and Jeshua rise together to rebuild the house of God, demonstrating that Yozadak’s name is associated with active restoration under prophetic guidance.
-
Nehemiah 12:26
These were in the days of Joiakim the son of Jeshua, the son of Jozadak, and in the days of Nehemiah the governor, and of Ezra the priest and scribe.
This reference places Yozadak in a historical timeline alongside Nehemiah and Ezra, confirming his enduring role in the priestly succession during the post-exilic period.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the name Yozadak mean?
Why didn't Yozadak serve as high priest?
Where does Yozadak appear in the Bible?
How is Yozadak different from other priests named Jeshua?
Every Occurrence (5 verses across 2 books)
Ezra 4 verses
Then Jeshua the son of Jozadak stood up with his brothers the priests and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel and his…
Ezra 3:8Now in the second year of their coming to God’s house at Jerusalem, in the second month, Zerubbabel the son of…
Ezra 5:2Then Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak rose up and began to build God’s house which is at…
Ezra 10:18Among the sons of the priests there were found who had married foreign women: of the sons of Jeshua, the son of…